Central American Games: Belize builds momentum with canoeing medals and more events ahead

Posted: Saturday, October 25, 2025. 2:03 pm CST.

Belize’s medallists – Photo Credit: Herman Pastor, BOCGA, norceca_info, Belize Canoe Association, XII Juegos Centroamericanos Guatemala 2025

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Belize’s delegation at the XII Central American Games continues to make waves—both literally and figuratively—after securing two canoeing bronze medals on Saturday in Petén, Guatemala. Cristian Lopez powered to third place in the Men’s K1 200m Canoe Sprint, while Ruth Cruz and Francisca Cruz-Pfaender made history earlier that morning with a bronze in the Women’s K2 500m, marking Belize’s first-ever international medal in canoeing.

With three races and two medals already in the books, Belize’s canoeing team returns to action on Sunday for two more events: the Men’s K2 1000m, where Andres Cabb will team up with Cristian Lopez, and the Men’s K1 1000m, where Cabb will compete solo.

These canoeing results contribute to Belize’s current medal tally of five:

• Ruth Cruz & Francisca Cruz-Pfaender – Bronze in Women’s K2 500m Canoe Sprint
• Cristian Lopez – Bronze in Men’s K1 200m Canoe Sprint
• Nyasha Harris – Silver in Women’s 100 Metres (11.86 seconds)
• Brandon Jones – Bronze in Men’s Triple Jump (15.49 metres at 7,982 ft elevation)
• Belize Women’s National Volleyball Team – Bronze with a 3–1 victory over Guatemala

Belize’s beach volleyball team – Photo Credit: Herman Pastor/Belize Olympics and Commonwealth Games Association

While five medals may seem modest compared to other countries, Belize’s delegation is competing in just 16 of the 55 disciplines featured at the Games. The country’s population of approximately 428,000 is dwarfed by regional giants like Guatemala, whose 18.9 million citizens support a much larger delegation. The host nation currently leads the medal table with a staggering 269 medals: 121 gold, 88 silver, and 60 bronze.

Other Central American countries also boast larger populations, broader participation, and deeper medal hauls:

• Costa Rica – 40 gold medals
• El Salvador – 36 gold medals
• Panama – 31 gold medals
• Honduras – 15 gold medals
• Nicaragua – 11 gold medals

Belize’s billiards team – Photo Credit: Herman Pastor/Belize Olympics and Commonwealth Games Association

Despite these disparities, Belize’s athletes continue to show heart, grit, and national pride. From the high-altitude tracks of Quetzaltenango to the courts of Guatemala City and the calm waters of Petén, Belize remains active in over the remainder of the games:

• Women’s Softball
• Basketball
• Beach Volleyball
• Rugby
• Billiards
• Sailing
• Taekwondo
• Weightlifting

Belize’s rugby team – Photo Credit: Herman Pastor/Belize Olympics and Commonwealth Games Association

These events follow earlier participation in:

• Athletics
• Women’s and Men’s Volleyball
• Men’s Softball
• Judo
• Fencing
• Tennis
• Cycling
• Swimming
• Triathlon

With every race, match, and medal, Belize’s delegation continues to punch above its weight—representing the Jewel with pride on the regional stage.

 

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The post Central American Games: Belize builds momentum with canoeing medals and more events ahead appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.

Posted: Saturday, October 25, 2025. 2:03 pm CST. Belize’s medallists – Photo Credit: Herman Pastor, BOCGA, norceca_info, Belize Canoe Association, XII Juegos Centroamericanos Guatemala 2025 By
The post Central American Games: Belize builds momentum with canoeing medals and more events ahead appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.